Is it time to throw away your COVID masks?

When the World Health Organization ended its global public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 in early May, it was cause for celebration. Factors for the decision included fewer COVID-related deaths, increased immunity and reduced overcrowding in hospitals.

As of May 11, Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC) no longer requires patients, staff or visitors to wear face coverings while in CCHC facilities (with a few exceptions, noted below).

But don’t throw away your COVID mask collection just yet.

“There will be times when people will want to use a mask,” said William Agel, MD, MPH, chief medical officer for Cape Cod Hospital and Cape Cod Healthcare.

“Certainly, we recommend wearing one if you have some sort of upper respiratory infection, whether it be COVID or the flu or something else. If you can’t stay home and have to be out in public or go to a doctor’s office, you should wear a mask to control the source and decrease the likelihood that you’ll spread an illness.”

He added that people in high-risk situations will want to continue to wear masks. “Most notably that would be people who are immune compromised or chronically ill, and are thus at higher risk for complications of COVID. If they’re in a public place or a place where people gather, they might want to wear a mask to protect themselves.”

Use Your Discretion

If you live with or visit someone who is immunocompromised, caution is still a good strategy, he said.

“It’s not necessary to wear a mask at all times, but if you’ve had an exposure at work or you’ve been to a function where a lot of people gathered and there might have been transmission, you might want to take extra precautions when you’re seeing a relative or friend or loved one who is at higher risk for the complications of COVID,” he said.

Surgical masks are very good at source control, said Dr. Agel, because they keep people who may have a respiratory infection, like a cold or the flu, from spreading it by coughing or sneezing.

“During the cold or flu season, I don’t think it’s necessary to wear a mask if you have no symptoms. If, however, you do have those symptoms, it’s only polite and courteous and a good public health measure to wear a mask,” he said.

Vaccine is Still the Wisest Action

While COVID rates have dropped significantly, it hasn’t disappeared. If you show signs of the virus, get tested, and if you test positive, follow the same guidelines for isolation.

“I would still tell people that the best way to protect themselves from COVID and the consequences of COVID is to make sure that you’re up to date on your vaccinations,” said Dr. Agel. “If you haven’t had a full series, then it’s a good idea to get one. If you haven’t had your bivalent booster, there’s good evidence to say that it protects you from severe disease and likely protects you from spreading it to other folks who maybe aren’t as well protected. Masks are one tool, but vaccination is the best tool that we have.”

According to the latest CCHC guidelines, masks will be required in all CCHC facilities when patients, staff or visitors:

• Have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection or other respiratory infection (e.g., those with runny nose, cough, sneeze); or
• Had close contact (patients and visitors) or a higher-risk exposure with someone with COVID-19 infection, for 10 days after their exposure; or
• Are on a unit or area of the facility experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak; or
• Have otherwise been recommended by public health authorities to utilize source control through masking (respiratory precautions)

In addition, if community transmission (as defined by CDC) is “High,” all CCHC facilities will require face coverings.

Patients, staff and visitors may choose to wear a face covering while in CCHC facilities, and face masks will continue to be available. Those who have a medical condition that puts them at risk of complications of COVID-19, including immune disorders, active chemotherapy or are taking immune suppressive medications should consider wearing a face mask.

Patients and visitors will be required to self-screen for respiratory illness upon entering a CCHC facility and be required to wear a face covering if they screen positive. Face masks are available at all entrances.